For 41 years, ACLAMO Family Center has been a reliable provider of social, educational, health, and employment services for low-income Latino communities in Montgomery County. ACLAMO serves about 5,000 children and adults each year. Through integrated services for the entire family, ACLAMO bridges gaps in language and
culture to ensure access to essential resources. ACLAMO’s services include: health care navigation, health education, and screenings; housing, food, and employment referrals and case management; ESL, family literacy, pre-school, afterschool and summer bridge programs; and immigration assistance. Today, ACLAMO remains the only full-service, bilingual organization for Latino residents in the county. ACLAMO’s one-stop approach means that clients with multiple needs can receive assistance resolving those needs without having to go to multiple providers. This year ACLAMO was recognized as the 2017 Statewide Afterschool Champion for outstanding work in developing, supporting and promoting meaningful high-quality afterschool/out-of-school time
programs to benefit children, youth and families. ACLAMO has been a member of PICC for many years. PICC is a key partner in the movement to find justice for immigrants.

Yesterday We Voted, Today We Take Action!

As we all digest the results of yesterday’s election, and what it means for our communities and Pennsylvania, it is time to think about what is next. Voting is important, and who wins an election can have a profound impact on our lives. But voting is not enough! After the election is over, it is all of our responsibility to hold elected officials accountable and make sure they act in the interest of all residents, immigrants, citizens, and refugees alike.

If you are not sure where to start, we have some
suggestions!

New "Take Action" Page

We have created a new feature on our website to make it easier to find current calls to action. Click on the “Take Action!” button in either the sidebar or main menu, and you will be taken to a list of quick actions you can take. We will update this page regularly as new action items come along. A few of the actions currently
listed:

Since early 2017, we have been hosting regular webinars and calls to give updates on state and federal legislation and provide education on a variety of immigration issues. Our last webinar of the year will be Friday, Dec. 7th and will be a debrief of the 2018 midterm elections and anticipated impact on the next legislative session. Register today!

In 2019, we will continue to monitor new legislation at the state and federal levels and give updates on new legislation. We will also be presenting a series of sessions on our pro-active legislative priorities. Stay tuned for details and the 2019 schedule!

Support a Local Community-Based Organization

We need to support and build up community-led organizations that can carry our movement forward, push back against anti-immigrant legislation, and build the world we want, one that is inclusive, welcoming, and diverse. Look for a local PICC member organization to support and volunteer with!

Families Seeking Asylum: “The Migrant Caravan”

Thousands of men, women, and children from Central America, mostly Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, have embarked on a brave journey from their homes to the U.S border. After three weeks on the road, the "migrant caravan" has now reached Mexico City. These families and individuals are fleeing violence, persecution, and poverty in order to pursue their human right to seek asylum. However, instead of preparing to process their applications – as mandated by international and U.S. law – the Trump Administration is
preparing to further traumatize this community by sending the U.S. military to the border. Falsely claiming that these families and small children are a “threat,” the administration is taking harsh measures; Trump’s suggestions are reminiscent of the disturbing polices used this summer to criminalize and separate families in the migrant community. Although the details are unclear, the administration is suggesting a new travel ban and potential for family separation part two. Additionally, Trump has placed administrative pressure on Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, including threats to cut U.S. aid to any country that does not blockade the caravan. As the families continue their journey on foot, you can
listen to some of their powerful stories, or watch on the ground footage.

Take Action:

In response to the news about the migrant caravan, #RefugeforFamilies has developed as a support network. Tweet
#RefugeforFamilies, donate, and if you are interested in providing humanitarian and legal assistance you can sign up online.

Join the Fight for Fair School Funding!

Every child in Pennsylvania has a right to an excellent public education. Every child, regardless of zip code, deserves access to a full curriculum, art and music classes, technical opportunities and a safe, clean, stable environment.

Most Pennsylvania’s public schools are inadequately funded and Pennsylvania has the widest funding gap between wealthy and poor school districts of any state in the country. Nearly half of school districts are spending below the amount needed to educate
students. That means lost opportunities for students to participate in valuable science, technology, and math programs; receive enough personal attention from their teachers due to growing class sizes; get extra help when they need it; have access to up-to-date books and technology; or participate in vocational training and extracurricular activities.

As a member of PA Schools Work, PICC is a part of the fight to ensure that Pennsylvania schools are adequately and equitably funded. This November,
PA Schools Work is hosting a free workshop for parents, students, teachers, and concerned community members who want to get involved and ensure that every school in Pennsylvania has the funding it needs. Participants will learn about how education funding is currently allocated, what level of funding their school district receives, and how to put together a plan to take local action to support students and educators.

Last month, PICC traveled to Mighty Writers El Futuro to support students as they navigate the education system. We worked with College Possible, an organization that specializes in college admission, to ensure that immigrant and undocumented students are aware that they can also access higher education. We were incredibly inspired by the student leadership in the room – the students showed interest in taking action so that future students would not face some of the barriers that they are experiencing. This is one
example of the Education Justice sessions that PICC is hosting about the Welcoming Schools Campaign and about immigrant rights in the PA education system. We want to work with immigrant and refugee parents and students from 5th – 12th grade to better understand and support their needs in the education and immigration systems. Are you connected to a student or parent group that may be interested in hosting a session? If so, please fill out our Education Speaking Request form and we will work together to determine the best presentation for your
community. For more information, please contact Carly at piccintern@paimmigrant.org or 215-832-3482.

Partner Updates/Events

Immigrant Workers Academy / Taller Para Trabajadores Inmigrantes

Learn how to navigate your workplace! Know your rights and what to do if immigration comes to your workplace.

Family Readiness and Know Your Rights Workshop (Lancaster)Church World Service-Lancaster

Through this workshop, you will be equipped with an understanding of your basic rights, or the rights of someone you may know who encounters Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Additionally, we will walk you through the necessary steps for your family to be prepared in the event that you or a loved one is detained. Registration for this free program is required. For more information, visit the event Facebook page here.

November Community Navigator Trainings (Lancaster)

PICC will be hosting a series of Navigator trainings in Lancaster from Nov. 7-Nov.17. The Community Navigator Training curriculum is designed to provide community members and allies with the knowledge and skills necessary to help their neighbors understand their rights and assist with a variety of immigration services, including comprehensive legal screenings, citizenship applications, and deportation defense packets. Participants will be trained to: Conduct public information sessions; Lead workshops on Know Your Rights and Deportation
Defense; Collaborate with families to complete Deportation Defense Packets; Organize legal clinics to provide comprehensive screening and naturalization assistance with attorneys and/or DOJ accredited representatives present

Participants can attend one or all six sessions. Those wishing to become PICC Certified Community Navigators must complete all six workshops. To learn more about the individual workshops, visit our website. Interpretation and childcare are available upon request for all sessions. Register now!

Monthly Youth Call: November

Monthly Youth calls are every 2nd Wednesday of the month. This call is for youth ages 14-25 in PA interested in learning how to engage with immigrant rights work. We will cover different topics each week. Topics are selected by our youth
membership. Register here!

When: Wednesday, Nov 14th, 7:30PM - 8:30PM

Please Donate to PICC!

PICC depends upon your support. Please donate to PICC today to support our advocacy and organizing work to mobilize the immigrant vote, build immigrant leaders, campaign for pro-immigrant policies at the local, state and federal
levels, and support the effective implementation of pro-immigrant public policies.